Abduction on Maiduguri-Damasak Road
Suspected Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents have kidnapped the wife of a Christian pastor and her three children in Borno State. The incident occurred around midday on Saturday, July 18, 2026, near Kareto village along the Maiduguri-Damasak road in Mobbar Local Government Area.
According to community sources reported by Daily Trust, the family was traveling in a commercial vehicle to Damasak, a town approximately 156 kilometers north of Maiduguri in the Northern Borno Senatorial District. The husband, Pastor Moses Guguma, leads a Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) congregation in Damasak.
Targeted Due to Religious Identity
A source familiar with the incident, who requested anonymity, stated that the gunmen intercepted the vehicle, singled out the pastor's wife and her three children, and ordered them to alight. The remaining passengers were allowed to continue their journey before the insurgents retreated into the bush with the captives.
Another source close to the Guguma family confirmed that the victims were deliberately selected because of their Christian faith. The identity of the pastor's wife has been withheld for security reasons.
It was also revealed that the woman had only recently been discharged from a hospital in Maiduguri, where she had been receiving medical treatment, and was still recovering at the time of the abduction.
Community in Prayer, No Ransom Demand Yet
As of the time of reporting, the whereabouts of the four victims remain unknown. A community member stated, 'As of now, we are holding a special prayer to God for the safe return of the victims.' Security forces have not issued any public statement on the incident, and no communication from the abductors regarding demands has been received.
Damasak has long been a flashpoint for insurgent activity in the Lake Chad Basin region and has seen repeated attacks and occupations by Boko Haram and its ISWAP splinter group in recent years.
Broader Insecurity Context
This kidnapping follows a recent attack by Boko Haram terrorists on a military base in Borno State, which resulted in eight casualties, including five soldiers and three Civilian Joint Task Force members. Operation HADIN KAI commended the bravery of the fallen troops amidst challenging weather conditions during the assault.
Separately, bandits killed a chief imam and at least two others in Sokoto State on July 1, 2026. Nigeria's insecurity crisis continues to worsen, with armed groups targeting vulnerable communities across the northwest and northeast regions.
